After Amritsar Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib to be Tobacco Free
FATEHGARH SAHIB, Punjab –Observing the World No Tobacco Day this past week, the Chairman of the Tobacco Control Cell Arun Sekhri declared  Fatehgarh Sahib a “Tobacco Free district”. With the enforcement of the COPTA Act in Punjab, a movement has been started to curb the intake of tobacco in Punjab. Earlier the Health Minister  had declared Amritsar Sahib and Gurdaspur as the first tobacco free districts of Punjab.
A team of doctors from PGI Chandigarh conducted detailed analysis  and confirmed that there were no active smokers in the area. The team submitted their report after conducting thorough examinations in 300 public places including  schools, colleges, hotels, railway stations, bus stations. In order to maintain the current status, the PGI doctors will hold regular examinations every 3 months.
In  a function organized at the District Hall, the Deputy Commissioner of Fatehgarh Sahib  took the initiative by appealing to the general public including students, teachers, public societies and workers from all communities to pledge against the use of tobacco in any form. Speaking on the occasion he said that there is a great need to spread  awareness regarding the ill effects of tobacco among the masses.
Tobacco contains 4000 harmful cancer causing mouth and throat cancer, The Punjab Government is seeking a ban on promoting the use of tobacco products.